Voting for Question F has 3 effects:
1) strips up to 4.5 acres of public park land from the Inner Harbor Park
2) increases the area available for commercial use by 35%
3) allows for the former park land to be used for development of private residences, office space, and parking garages
nothing more, nothing less
Let’s break down the language together!
Sound confusing? That’s intentional. The proposed changes to the charter are hidden after the 50+ words defining Inner Harbor Park.
The first change is “4.5” - currently the charter allows for 3.2 acres to be developed in Inner Harbor Park
The second change is “multifamily residential development and off street parking” - currently the charter only allows for development for eating places and commercial uses
The third change applies to the new uses “with the areas used for multifamily dwellings and off-street parking as excluded from the area dedicated as a public park or for public benefit.” - currently all of Inner Harbor Park is dedicated as a public park and for public benefit in the city charter.
Currently Inner Harbor Park is the most protected public park in Baltimore as the only one dedicated to the public in the City Charter. No other park has that honor. No other park requires a ballot measure to be converted to private residences - that can be done legislatively.
By voting no on F you are voting to keep park land sacred. You are saying you do not want private luxury high rises in a space currently dedicated to the public. You are ensuring that any redevelopment of the inner harbor will be enjoyed by all Baltimoreans. You are asking our politicians to do better.